Harden Cleared to Play

Brett Deering/Getty Images(OKLAHOMA CITY) -- The news is good for James Harden. The Oklahoma City Thunder guard who suffered a concussion when Los Angeles Lakers forward Metta World Peace elbowed him in the back of the head, has been cleared to return to the basketball court.

He passed the NBA-mandated tests that determines if a player is able to return from a concussion.

Harden sat out the Thunders' final regular season game versus the Nuggets Wednesday night, but he will practice with the team Friday and should be ready for the playoffs.

Harden is a big gain for the Thunder. He averaged 16.8 points, 4.1 boards and 3.7 assists as the Oklahoma City's acting sixth man.